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Board chairs
Meet Our Community Champions

Board of Directors

Meet the Tireless Leaders Who Serve on Our Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is a generous and diverse group of leaders who bring their expertise and passion to help drive our mission and ensure that Saddleback Medical Center continues providing exceptional care for our community. We are proud of our Saddleback volunteer leadership who use their diverse skills and connections to raise philanthropic funds for our hospital.

Executive Committee

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Matthew Kimmel

Matthew Kimmel

Board Chair
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Matthew Kimmel

Matthew Kimmel

Board Chair

I joined the board as a grateful patient after my wife, Kelli, and I welcomed our triplets at Saddleback, where we spent many long days and nights before and after their birth. We had an amazing experience with the doctors and nurses who supported us through one of the most challenging times in our lives with compassion and skill. Christy and I continue to serve because of the people and the incredible work the Foundation team leads to strengthen care for our community.

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Gus Alvarez

Gus Alvarez

Vice Chair
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Gus Alvarez

Gus Alvarez

Vice Chair

I chose to join the MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Foundation board because I deeply believe in the power of community-driven health care. As a financial leader, I have seen how strategic philanthropy can make a lasting impact, not just on hospitals, but on the lives of patients and families. Being part of this board allows me to contribute my expertise to advancing compassionate care and ensuring the long-term sustainability of exceptional medical services in our community.

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Candace Haynes

Candace Haynes, RN

Secretary
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Candace Haynes

Candace Haynes, RN

Secretary

I was hired by Saddleback in 1980 as a medical-surgical RN. The culture of caring and compassion delivered across every department, from top to bottom, made Saddleback the best place to work and to receive patient care. I was fortunate to transfer to The Women’s Hospital when it opened in 1988, where I spent 29 years as an LDRP nurse until retiring in 2017. I was surprised and a little nervous when asked to join the Foundation, but I have truly enjoyed introducing friends and grateful patients to this wonderful organization.

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Christy Ward

Christy Ward

President & Chief Development Officer, OC Region
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Christy Ward

Christy Ward

President & Chief Development Officer, OC Region

To me, philanthropy means coming together to care for our community in meaningful ways. Through my work and my family’s personal experience, I have witnessed the extraordinary dedication of our caregivers, and the impact generosity makes possible. Our donors help ensure that level of care is there for patients and families when they need it most.

Board Members

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Joyce Averna

Joyce Averna

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Joyce Averna

Joyce Averna

I am honored to serve on the board of MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Foundation because I believe in the power of community and the transformative impact of accessible, high-quality health care. I am especially passionate about the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to advancing women’s health, which is deeply meaningful to me. Supporting initiatives that prioritize the well-being of women and all patients inspires me every day. It is a privilege to help further the Foundation’s mission and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

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Jagtinder Dang

Jagtinder Dang

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Jagtinder Dang

Jagtinder Dang

I chose to join the Saddleback Medical Center Foundation board out of a deep commitment to ensuring world-class health care remains accessible right here in our community. Having seen the hospital’s exceptional, compassionate care firsthand, I am motivated to help strengthen that standard for everyone. My service is dedicated to cultivating the philanthropic resources needed to fund cutting-edge technology, support essential patient programs, and advance the medical center’s mission for future generations.

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David Dow

David Dow

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David Dow

David Dow

I joined the Foundation board because, in 2016, MemorialCare saved my life. During that experience, I saw firsthand the deeply unwavering commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality health care that transformed my life and the lives of others in our community. With my personal connection to the impactful care I received here, I saw a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the strategic growth and innovation of the organization. I am excited to collaborate with fellow board members to advance patient-centered initiatives and ensure MemorialCare remains a beacon of excellence for generations to come. This role aligns perfectly with my passion for giving back to the communities that have shaped me.

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Tom Feldmar

Tom Feldmar

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Tom Feldmar

Tom Feldmar

I joined the MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Foundation board because, over the years, I have seen how strong leadership and collaboration can transform lives in the community. Serving on the board allows me to contribute my skills and experience to something larger than myself. It also means taking on responsibility, providing service, and having the privilege of helping guide an organization that makes a real difference.

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Shela Kaneshiro, RN

Shela Kaneshiro, CEO

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Shela Kaneshiro, RN

Shela Kaneshiro, CEO

My experience as a nurse has shaped how I lead and how I view patient care. Philanthropy strengthens our ability to support caregivers, invest in innovation and deliver exceptional care to our community. Together with our donors, we are ensuring patients and families receive the care they deserve when it matters most.

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David Law, M.D.

David Law, MD

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David Law, M.D.

David Law, MD

I joined the Foundation board to help advance Age-Friendly Health Systems and support the growth of the Hospital Elder Life Program (H.E.L.P.) program at Saddleback. I value having a platform to strengthen care for older adults in our community.

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Rhonda Longmore-Grund

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Rhonda Longmore-Grund

During an unexpected hospital stay at Saddleback Medical Center in 2020, I received extraordinary care at every level. I became a proud supporter of both Saddleback and the greater MemorialCare Health System, which day in and day out serves patients with excellence and compassionate care.

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Gayle Luciano

Gayle Luciano

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Gayle Luciano

Gayle Luciano

Having lived in Laguna Hills for the past 35 years, I often drove past MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. Even though I had no personal interaction with the hospital, it was always reassuring to know that a community hospital was nearby. That changed years ago when my husband required medical attention. The doctors and staff were amazing, approachable, informative, and caring during a difficult time. Now it is my turn to support MemorialCare Saddleback, and I am honored to serve as a member of the board.

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Sarah Nederlander

Sarah Nederlander

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Sarah Nederlander

Sarah Nederlander

I joined the hospital board to make a lasting difference in health care and give back to a community that has given so much to us. Guided by my family’s connection to medicine and inspired by the incredible work happening at MemorialCare, I am dedicated to supporting initiatives that uplift women and strengthen our community. Supporting women’s health through programs like the Sarah & Taylor Nederlander Breast Center is one way I hope to help create real, enduring change. It is a privilege to work alongside passionate leaders who are ensuring compassionate, world-class care for every patient and shaping a legacy for future generations.

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Taylor Nederlander

Taylor Nederlander

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Taylor Nederlander

Taylor Nederlander

I was drawn to join MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Foundation because of its strong commitment to improving community health and providing patients with compassionate care. I wanted to contribute my skills to an organization that makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives every day.

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Michael Skillman

Michael Skillman

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Michael Skillman

Michael Skillman

I serve on the Saddleback Medical Center Foundation board because I believe we’re called to lift up our community in meaningful ways. Through my involvement, I’ve seen how generosity brings hope to patients and families during vulnerable moments. It’s an honor to help guide work that makes a real difference every day.

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Jesse Valencia

Jesse Valencia

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Jesse Valencia

Jesse Valencia

It has been one of my great honors to serve on the MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Foundation board. The work of the Foundation is vital to the health and well-being of our community. Access to exceptional health care is something my family and I value deeply, and I have seen firsthand the Foundation’s impact over more than 15 years of involvement. I am proud to support an organization that brings together outstanding physicians, advanced technologies, and compassionate care for the people of Orange County.

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